Border Patrol Agent - Entry Level

About the role

The U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) is hiring immediate entry-level positions in federal law enforcement. These roles are suitable for those with prior experience in public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Deterring and questioning individuals suspected of violating immigration and customs laws.
• Inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations.
• Maintaining surveillance and conducting night operations using infrared scopes.
• Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry.
• Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrolling the international border and coastal waterways using various government assets.

Requirements

• One year of general work experience demonstrating the ability to take charge, make sound decisions, and maintain composure in stressful situations.
• One year of specialized work experience showing skills necessary to make sound judgments and decisions in the use of firearms, dealing effectively with people in a courteous manner, and analyzing information rapidly.
• A bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full four-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• A combination of general work experience and successfully completed college education.

Qualifications

• GL-5 grade level: Experience or education as outlined above.
• GL-7 grade level: Experience or education as outlined above, plus superior academic achievement or graduate-level education in a field related to law enforcement.
• GL-9 and GS-11 grade levels: Previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience.

Benefits

• Up to $60,000 in additional incentives, including a $20,000 recruitment incentive and up to $40,000 in retention incentives over the first four years.
• Excellent base pay, health, dental, and other insurance plans, generous leave programs, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan.
• Up to 25% additional pay due to the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014.

Pay

Annual Base Salary for newly appointed Border Patrol Agents varies per grade, as follows: GL-5/GL-7 $51,632- $92,912 per year.

Schedule

Duty locations may include the Southwest Border, including prioritized locations such as Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and other insurance plans.
• A generous annual and sick leave program.
• Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan.

Relocation

Relocation may be required. Duty location impacts pay rates; locality pay for federal law enforcement is higher in some locations than others.

Other Requirements

• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Residency: Must have had primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Age Restriction: Must be referred for selection to the Border Patrol Agent position before reaching their 40th birthday.
• Veterans’ Preference: Eligible for Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA).
• Formal Training: After being hired, detailed to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy for approximately six months of intensive instruction.

Contact Information

To apply, click the Apply button on this site. For questions about the application process, contact a recruiter through the U.S. Border Patrol page: careers.cbp.gov/s/usbp.